[Gene expression of beta-adrenoceptor signal transmitters in heart failure].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the alteration in steady-state levels of messenger RNA(mRNA) of beta-adrenoceptor signal transmitters in heart failure.

METHODS

The reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to assess gene expression in small quantity of circulatory lymphocytes. With selected oligonucleotide primers, we used quantitative RT-PCR to amplify mRNAs encoding beta 2-adrenergic receptor(beta 2-AR), adenylate cyclase (AC), beta 2-adrenergic receptor kinase(beta-ARK), and beta-arrestin and cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) in 16 healthy subjects and 30 heart-failing patients.

RESULTS

The alteration of gene expression in heart failure appeared to be selective, the steady-state levels of mRNA increased significantly involving AC and the transcription factor, CREB; decreased significantly involving membrane receptor, beta 2-AR; unchanged significantly involving phosphorylating factors of beta-AR uncoupling, beta-ARK and beta-arrestin.

CONCLUSION

The aberrant gene expression of beta-adrenergic receptor might play an important role in the pathogenesis of heart failure.